Victorian bred sprinter-miler Finke began the build-up for this year’s Top End carnivals with a four-length victory in the NT Guineas on Saturday.

Finke is unbeaten in 6 starts since transferring to Gary Clarke in Darwin.  He won his first three around Fannie Bay and completed another hat-trick at Alice Springs in the NT Guineas (1600m).

A three year-old gelding by Blue Gum Farm sire Turffontein, he was sold by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm for $5,000 at the 2014 Inglis VOBIS yearling sale.  It completed a Red Centre double for Lauriston Thoroughbreds with Gallant Express (Reset) winning earlier in the day.

“He’s a mature three-year-old and he’s been carrying big weights against some decent horses,” Clarke said.  “He got the makings of a good horse – everything we’ve put in front of him, he’s done well.”

Turffontein got him from Bloomin Marvellous (Desert Prince), a close relation of G2 Ascot Vale Stakes winner Innovation Girl (Rubiton).  She was bred to Skilled last October.

Blue Gum offers one of the three lots by Turffontein at the VOBIS Gold yearling sale on April 17 & 18.  The home-based Turffontein – Encosta Di Nero filly (Lot 201) is from a stakes winning family developed by the Ingham brothers at Woodlands Stud.

Turffontein is flying with 5 winners in the last week.  Pakenham winner Dance with Fontein is a VOBIS Gold yearling sale graduate and has won 3 from her last 4 for Robbie Griffiths.

FINKE